Monday Musings, October 14

Hey there and Happy Monday!

Well, we survived our whirlwind trip to Las Vegas (as in we flew across the country and were there for less than 48 hours!) The good news is that I never got jet lag because we just weren’t there long enough! Terry’s wish for his birthday was to see Journey in concert at the Colosseum at Caesar’s…so that’s what we did! We had a great time, but I saw things that I will never be able to unsee! ???

In 3 days I head out again for a girl’s football weekend at my alma mater! I CANNOT WAIT! I am thrilled to have rekindled relationships that fell dormant during our busy parenting years…one can never have too many girlfriends! AMIRIGHT? And even better…my daughter joins us and is forming friendships with the daughters of my college buddies! ?????

In useful news this week…I had a Visa gift card that had a $4.88 balance on it…forever. You know, with those gift cards, what you are purchasing has to be less than the balance of the card… but how often do I buy something for less than $4.88? And then, what if the total is $3.99, then I’d be throwing away $.89 because you know there isn’t anything I could buy for $.89 anymore! Well, Amazon to the rescue (of course)! I purchased an Amazon Gift Card for $4.88, using my visa gift card to pay for the Amazon Gift Card. The Amazon Gift Card then just became a credit for me on Amazon! BAM, not one cent wasted!!! Tell me, did you know about this before or was this useful news for you? I’m just curious if I’m the last person on the planet to figure this out!!!

In uplifting news…if you are a caregiver or know of a caregiver to a loved one with Dementia/Alzheimer’s, then please check out the resources offered by your local Hospice. Our Hospice has staff dedicated to providing support, at no cost, to caregivers that is proving to be priceless to my family. And for you caregivers out there…you are amazing!

Some of these links may be affiliate links and I may earn a small commission off of the sale of these products to help defray the costs of operating this site, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.

In handy kitchen news…my mom has a cold and I want to take her some homemade chicken soup…like in 2 hours. But how can you make flavorful homemade chicken soup in less than 2 hours!!??? Enter the handy Instant Pot. I had a carcass from a rotisserie chicken in the freezer and popped it, some water, celery, and onions into the Instant Pot and I will have a rich, flavorful and healing pot of chicken soup in 1 1/2 hours. Believe me, I am a firm believer in ‘slow cooking’, but there are times when some of these appliances really come in handy! And my house went from ‘eh’ to chicken stock aroma-filled just like that! (Would anyone other than me buy a Chicken Stock scented candle from Bath and Body Works?)

If you are a knitter and you travel ?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️ then you might find this really handy! Bonus points because it is fun!

For more knit gift finds….

Let this just sit on your lips…Rum Spiced Pear Jam (which surely needs to be dolloped over Gingerbread Scones!)

While we are talking fallish desserts….Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread!

Did you enter to win a wine aerator?

Do you make gifts for holiday gifting? These buckwheat-filled, microwaveable neck wraps are a handy and handmade gift.

Well, I am off to shower and to go visit my parents…chicken soup in hand. Wishing you a lovely Monday and a fantastic week.

Hugs,